Top 10: Asian Martial Arts Movies

The Western world has always been fascinated with the East's innovative way of fighting. For decades, Asian martial arts movies have made for great entertainment. After watching Asian martial arts movies, we leave the theater practicing our high kicks and punching the air as if we could single-handedly take on a barrage of lethal ninjas.

The martial arts genre has grown over the years, and we've seen the rise in popularity of practitioners like Jean-Claude Van Damme and Steven Seagal. But if you really love your Asian martial arts movies, you have to go to the source.

These Asian martial arts movies were chosen not only because of their fast-paced martial arts action, but because of the quality of their story lines and their entertainment value. All the films were made in the East and they set the standard for future martial arts movies thanks to their ingenious action sequences (accomplished through wire work, stunts and so on). Despite the recent advances in special effects technology, these Asian martial arts movies have stood the test of time due to great camera work and well-planned choreography.

Here are the top 10 Asian martial arts movies you shouldn't miss.

Number 10

Snake in the Eagle's Shadow (1978)

Directed by legendary choreographer Woo-ping Yuen, Jackie Chan started his long career with this Asian martial arts movie, playing an orphan and trademark weakling who is constantly being mistreated by his masters. He meets an old beggar who teaches him "Snake Fist Kung Fu," at which he naturally excels. However, the deadly Eagle Claw Society has outlawed this lethal form of martial arts, and its members try to stop Jackie from performing it.

Why it's a kicker: This is one of the films that put Jackie Chan on the map and set the standard for a new style of martial arts film that combined awesomely choreographed kung fu fight scenes with slapstick humor. Chan shows his early talent (especially in the rice bowl scene, where he demonstrates incredible balance and mobility), but he is almost shown up by his 66-year-old teacher, Siu Tien Yuen, the father of the director.

Number 9

Shaolin Master Killer (1978)

The story line of this Asian martial arts film is loosely based on the origins of kung fu, a fighting style originally known only to a select group of monks. Eventually, one monk breaks with tradition and shares it with the outside world. Gordon Liu stars as San Te, a young man who joins a temple after the murder of his family and learns kung fu over a period of 10 years in order to exact his revenge.

Why it's a kicker: Want kung fu? You'll get it by the shovel load. Although it contains the same "learn to fight for revenge" scenario as many other martial arts movies, it has plenty of impressive fast-kicking action, the best of which is showcased in the trials and the training. Gordon Liu excels and shows off his skill, especially when he has to face the double blades of a monk. This fight is short, yet memorable, showing impressive staff fighting. The film has been a strong influence within the genre (as can be seen in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill).